Danilo Pesce, a 60-year-old resident of Pelham, is facing legal consequences following allegations of grand larceny. The New York Attorney General office reports that Pesce is charged with stealing over $143,000 from the pension account of his deceased neighbor. The victim was a retired teacher from the Pelham Union Free School District who passed away in March 2020.
Authorities state that the New York State Teachers' Retirement System was never informed of the death. Consequently, the agency deposited $3,497 in monthly benefits into the account for four years. Investigations reveal that Pesce had gained access to the bank account and the home deed of the deceased man while serving as a caretaker.
Prosecutors allege that Pesce began making regular withdrawals shortly after the death occurred in 2020. Officials claim the stolen funds paid for maintenance and renovations at the residence where Pesce and his wife lived part-time. The retirement system discovered the error in April 2024 and ceased payments.
Pesce was arraigned in Albany County Court on July 30. He entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of second-degree grand larceny. If a jury finds him guilty of these charges, he faces a potential prison sentence of five to 15 years.